Deer Management

Deer Management Activities Planned for South Maplewood

Maplewood, St. Paul, and Ramsey County are partnering on deer management south of I-94 this winter, pursuant to the 2018 Ramsey County Deer Management Program. In this area, the current deer population exceeds the amount of sustainable deer habitat, which may result in an unhealthy, stressed herd. During the winter of 2018-2019 deer management activities will be accomplished in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Wildlife Services division. All deer removed in this program will be donated to underserved residents of Ramsey County in coordination with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

​​Deer Management

Seeing wildlife in the neighborhood is exciting and the city promotes enhancing habitat for wildlife. But without natural predators, deer populations have increased tremendously in some Maplewood neighborhoods. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources recommends a maximum of 15-25 deer per square mile of habitat in urban areas. Some areas in Maplewood far exceed this threshold.

Overpopulation of deer can negatively impact the health of a deer herd, public safety (via deer-vehicle collision), and vegetation.

Maplewood’s deer management strategy focuses on 4 activities:

Bowhunting: Maplewood and Ramsey County partner with Metro Bowhunters Resource Base (MBRB) for removal of deer on selected sites in the city. Hunters in this program are members of MBRB and must pass a proficiency test to participate. Hunters interested in participating should contact MBRB. The hunts are typically conducted in two to four three-day sessions in fall. This program helps us manage the population but in some areas of the city it will not be adequate to achieve our population goals.

Monitoring: The city contracts Ramsey County to conduct an annual aerial survey of deer in Maplewood. This snapshot in time, gives us an estimate of the deer population from year to year.

Ordinance: Maplewood ordinance prohibits feeding deer. In addition to putting out corn and other fodder, this includes putting out salt licks and having a bird feeder that attracts deer.

Sharpshooting: When deer populations are extremely high and if funding is available, the city may contract sharpshooters to remove deer. The city has only done this once. We are nearing the point when sharpshooting will again be necessary to reduce the herd.

Minnesota State Statute Chapter 471.701 requires that
"A city or county with a population of more than 15,000 must annually notify its residents of the positions and base salaries of its three highest-paid employees."